Portable grooming kit

ABSTRACT

A portable kit suitable for use as an aid in personal grooming out of doors comprises a water-containing reservoir, water inlet and outlet means in the reservoir, a tub which fits against one side of the reservoir and is detachably hinged to the reservoir to permit use as a wash basin, latch means for holding the tub closed against the reservoir, and a handle on the reservoir to permit convenient carrying.

United States Patent Childress, Jr. May 23, 1972 [541 PORTABLE GROOMING KIT 2,128,737 8/1938 Aronstein 132179 G 1,485,357 3/1924 Aber i. [72] Inventor. Allen M. Childrem, Jr., 1410 Speed, Mon- 2,720,208 10/1955 Genman 71201 3,130,823 4/1964 Antonious ..190/s1 x [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1970 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene 1 1 pp NW 11,038 Assistant ExaminerJ. N. Eskovitz AttorneyArno1d, White and Durkee [52] US. Cl..... ....l32/79 G, 190/51 TR! [51 Int. Cl. ..A45d 40/22 [57] ABS [58] Field of Search ..132/79 R, 79 F, 79 G, 80 R, A portable kit suitable for use as an aid in personal grooming 132/80 A, 82 R, 83; 90/51; 222/192 out of doors comprises a water-containing reservoir, water inlet and outlet means in the reservoir, a tub which fits against 56] References Cited one side of the reservoir and is detachably hinged to the reservoir to permit use as a wash basin, latch means for holding the UNITED STATES PATENTS tub closed against the reservoir, and a handle on the reservoir to permit convenient carrying. 2,825,345 3/1958 Gellman ..132/79 R 1,715,913 6/1929 l-lalk ..190/51 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 56 54 72 25 28 "i 1 1 1 I 1 80 l I'd.

50 p x I PORTABLE GROOMING KIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A portable kit is needed for use as an aid in personal grooming out of doors, such as when swimming in the ocean. Facilities for washing sand, dirt or salt from ones self are frequently not available, particularly on many beaches, and one must consequently remain uncomfortable for long periods of time. Thus, a personal grooming kit which may be easily transported and used at remote locations is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a personal grooming kit which comprises a water-containing reservoir and a tub hingedly attached to the reservoir such that the outside of the kit appears like a small suitcase. The hinges between the tub and the reservoir are detachable to permit removal of the tub from the reservoir in order that one may use the tub as a wash basin by draining water from the reservoir into the tub.

The side of the reservoir which closes against the tub includes a compartment for carrying hair oil, comb, hair spray, and other toilet articles. The reservoir also includes a water inlet and outlet to permit easy filling and use of the water.

Suitable latches are also provided on the reservoir and the tub for holding the tub closed against the reservoir when the detachable hinges are engaged. A handle is provided to permit convenient carrying of the kit. The handle is preferably located on the reservoir since when filled with water it is the heaviest part of the kit.

The tub when empty of water can be used to carry wet or dry swim clothes, towels, or other objects. The kit is preferably constructed of a sturdy plastic, such as polypropylene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a portable kit in accordance with the invention in its opened position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the kit of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a hinge employed in the kit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a pictorial representation of a portable grooming kit embodying an exemplary form of the invention. As there shown, a water-containing reservoir comprises a shell 12, the open end of which is closed by a panel 14. The shell 12 and the panel 14 are preferably made of molded plastic and then mounted together by gluing, heat-sealing, or other suitable technique to form the ater-tight reservoir 10. The panel 14 may include a small peripheral lip 16 to help fit the panel 14 on the shell 12 during manufacture.

The panel 14 is preferably made with a compartment 18 therein. The compartment 18 may be conveniently formed during the molding of the panel 14, or may be made separately and then attached. The compartment 18 is closed by a door 20, the compartment being approximately the same size as the door except in depth. The door 20 may be mounted on the panel 14 by any suitable means such as hinges 21 and 24, but the door and the hinges may be molded of plastic along with the panel 14, if a suitable plastic such as polypropylene is used to make the kit.

A post 26 may also be molded with the panel 14, and a snap 28 is provided to engage the post 26 to hold the door 20 closed against the panel 14. The snap 28 may be bolted or glued to the door 20, or it may be molded as a part of the door 20 if a suitable plastic is employed.

The panel 14 during molding preferably includes an annular area 30 near the mouth of the compartment 18 into which the door 20 fits. The door, of course, may also be slideably mounted on the panel 14 in suitable tracks to permit opening and closing of the compartment 18.

The shell 12 has a handle 32 mounted thereon for convenient carrying. The shell 12 also has a threaded opening 34, preferably molded therein, and a cap 36 threadably engages the opening 34. Thus, the reservoir may be filled with water by removing the cap 36 and pouring water through the opening 34 into the reservoir.

The shell 12 may also include a separate water outlet such as spigot 38. The spigot 38 is preferably located near the bottom of the reservoir 10, when the reservoir 10 is resting with its handle 32 on its top side, to permit easy drainage of water. Alternatively, the spigot 38 may be mounted in the panel 14 or in other suitable location.

A mirror 40 is mounted on the panel 14 by clamps 42, 44, 46, and 48 which are bolted or otherwise suitably held to the panel 14.

A tub 50 is connected with the reservoir 10 by detachable hinges 52 and 54. The tub is preferably made of molded plastic and may comprise a barrier 56 extending across its water-containing portion in order that a compartment 58 is provided of a size suitable for a convenient washing depth of water. Alternatively, the barrier 56 may be omitted if the kit is sufficiently small that the entire tub 50 is needed as a wash basin.

With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the hinges 52 and 54 may be made of plastic or metal and may comprise a plate 60 having four bolt holes therein and a pin 62 connected to the plate 60 by an extended portion 64. A second plate 66 has two extended portions 68 and '70 which have openings therethrough for engaging slideably with the pin 62 ofv the plate 60. Consequently, the tub 50 may be disengaged from the reservoir 10, by sliding the plate 66 off the pin 62 of plate 60, to permit pouring of water into the tub 50 and convenient use of the tub. The hinges 52 and 54 may be bolted to the tub 50 and shell 12 as shown, or they may be molded as a part of the tub 50 and shell 12. Other suitable hinge mechanisms may be employed if desired.

The panel 14 preferably includes an annular lip 72 which mates with the inside of the tub 50 when the tub 50 is closed against the reservoir 10. The lip 72 helps align and hold the tub 50 in its closed position. Other means for alignment can of course be employed.

Suitable latches 74 and 76 are mounted on the reservoir 10 to engage with catches 78 and 80 mounted on the tub 50 and hold the tub 50 closed against the reservoir 10.

When using the kit, the water reservoir 10 is filled with water; the compartment 18 is filled with toilet articles such as soap, hair oil, and the like; and the tub 50 is filled with swim suits, towels, or other objects and then closed against the reservoir 10 to provide in general appearance a small suitcase for traveling.

When one desires to make use of the kit, the tub 50is unlatched from the reservoir 10 and removed from the reservoir 10 by detaching the hinges 52 and 54. Water from the reservoir 10 may then be placed in the tub 50 through spigot 38. The toilet articles are conveniently accessable by opening door 20, and the mirror 40 is available for use if needed.

The kit is preferably made of one or more plastic materials, such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, high-impact polystyrene, a polycarbonate resin, or a polyamide resin. The olefinic polymers are preferred since they do not give the water a bad taste and are relatively inexpensive. Further, polypropylene is particularly desirable since the handle 32, latches 74 and 76, hinges 52 and 54, hinges 22 and 24, snap 28, and catches 78 and 80 may be conveniently molded as a part of the shell 12, panel 14, and tub 50, thereby facilitating manufacturing and minimizing manual labor.

The kit may be made in various sizes, although a reservoir about 18 inches long, ll inches high, and 4 inches wide, and a tub about 3 inches deep and matching the other dimensions of the reservoir, is suitable for use by two persons. The comp-art:

described without substantially departing from the concept of v the invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the invention specifically described and depicted in the accompanying drawings are exemplary only and are not intended as limitations in the permissible scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable kit suitable for use as an aid in personal grooming out of doors, said kit comprising:

a water-containing reservoir comprising an exterior shell and a panel closing the shell to form the reservoir;

means connected with said reservoir for permitting ingress and egress of water, said means including a sealably closeable water outlet; a tub which fits against said reservoir on its panel side with the water-containing portion of the tub facing the panel;

detachable hinge means connecting said tub to said reservoir whereby said tub can be opened away from said reservoir and removed from connection with said reservoir;

latch means for holding said tub closed against said reservoir when said detachable hinge means is engaged; and

a handle on said reservoir to permit carrying of said kit.

2. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said panel includes a compartment extending toward said shell, said compartment being shaped to accept toilet articles.

3. The kit defined in claim 2 wherein said panel has a door mounted thereon for closing said compartment.

4. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said tub includes a barrier extending across its water-containing portion whereby said tub is divided into compartments, one of which is a size convenient for use as a wash basin.

5. The kit defined in claim 1 whereby said shell, panel, and tub are made of molded plastic.

6. The kit defined in claim 5 wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.

7. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said means for permitting ingress and egress of water comprises a threaded opening in the side of the reservoir having the handle and a cap threadably engaging the opening, and a spigot connected with the reservoir near the bottom thereof when the side with the handle is its top side.

8. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said shell, panel, and tub are made of molded plastic,

said panel includes a compartment extending toward said shell which is shaped to accept toilet articles,

said panel has a door mounted thereon for closing said compartment, and said panel has a mirror mounted thereon, and

said means for permitting ingress and egress of water comprises a threaded opening in the side of the reservoir having the handle and a cap threadably engaging the opening, and a spigot connected with the reservoir near the bottom thereof when the side with the handle is its top side.

9. The kit defined in claim 8 wherein said molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.

10. The kit defined in claim 9 wherein said tub includes a barrier extending across its water-containing portion whereby said tub is divided into compartments, one of which is a size convenient for use as a wash basin. 

1. A portable kit suitable for use as an aid in personal grooming out of doors, said kit comprising: a water-containing reservoir comprising an exterior shell and a panel closing the shell to form the reservoir; means connected with said reservoir for permitting ingress and egress of water, said means including a sealably closeable water outlet; a tub which fits against said reservoir on its panel side with the water-containing portion of the tub facing the panel; detachable hinge means connecting said tub to said reservoir whereby said tub can be opened away from said reservoir and removed from connection with said reservoir; latch means for holding said tub closed against said reservoir when said detachable hinge means is engaged; and a handle on said reservoir to permit carrying of said kit.
 2. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said panel includes a compartment extending toward said shell, said compartment being shaped to accept toilet articles.
 3. The kit defined in claim 2 wherein said panel has a door mounted thereon for closing said compartment.
 4. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said tub includes a barrier extending across its water-containing portion whereby said tub is divided into compartments, one of which is a size convenient for use as a wash basin.
 5. The kit defined in claim 1 whereby said shell, panel, and tub are made of molded plastic.
 6. The kit defined in claim 5 wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.
 7. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said means for permitting ingress and egress of water comprises a threaded opening in the side of the reservoir having the handle and a cap threadably engaging the opening, and a spigot connected with the reservoir near the bottom thereof when the side with the handle is its top side.
 8. The kit defined in claim 1 wherein said shell, panel, and tub are made of molded plastic, said panel includes a compartment extending toward said shell which is shaped to accept toilet articles, said panel has a door mounted thereon for closing said compartment, and said panel has a mirror mounted thereon, and said means for permitting ingress and egress of water comprises a threaded opening in the side of the reservoir having the handle and a cap threadably engaging the opening, and a spigot connected with the reservoir near the bottom thereof when the side with the handle is its top side.
 9. The kit defined in claim 8 wherein said molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.
 10. The kit defined in claim 9 wherein sAid tub includes a barrier extending across its water-containing portion whereby said tub is divided into compartments, one of which is a size convenient for use as a wash basin. 